Jim Kelso
Elite Cafe Member
- Joined
- Dec 17, 2007
- Messages
- 198
Since the early 90s I’ve often used the Japanese alloys in unconventional ways. One of my bucket-list items has been to return to a more conventional use to honor the respect and admiration I have for the kinko tradition. Discovering Japanese work in 1981 was a watershed moment for me both artistically and technically. There was very little available then about how the work was done.
I learned a tremendous amount on this piece and I have so much respect for the Japanese metal artists and the range of artistic effects they achieved and the superb technique involved. To be clear, I have never followed a strictly traditional Japanese regimen; I made a choice nearly 20 years ago not to abandon my earlier engraving methods, and to proceed with the hybrid practices that had served me well since discovering Japanese work in 1981. In the end, to me, it is the final result that speaks clearest about whether ones approach is effective, appropriate and pleasing.
I have not made a soft-metal tsuba for many years and wanted to return to this form with whatever gains I’ve made over the intervening years. I also wanted to incorporate a snowy theme, as well as the quietude of a moonlit winter evening.
I doubt that I’ll produce such an involved tsuba again. I’m very happy to have produced this piece, but the muse keeps whispering along other directions.
Materials are; 50%copper/50%silver shibuichi for the body, the shibuichi pine needles are 15%silver/85%copper, pine cones are copper and the snow is pure silver. Phillip Baldwin made the shibuichi alloys for me.
dimension is 65mm x 71mm
I learned a tremendous amount on this piece and I have so much respect for the Japanese metal artists and the range of artistic effects they achieved and the superb technique involved. To be clear, I have never followed a strictly traditional Japanese regimen; I made a choice nearly 20 years ago not to abandon my earlier engraving methods, and to proceed with the hybrid practices that had served me well since discovering Japanese work in 1981. In the end, to me, it is the final result that speaks clearest about whether ones approach is effective, appropriate and pleasing.
I have not made a soft-metal tsuba for many years and wanted to return to this form with whatever gains I’ve made over the intervening years. I also wanted to incorporate a snowy theme, as well as the quietude of a moonlit winter evening.
I doubt that I’ll produce such an involved tsuba again. I’m very happy to have produced this piece, but the muse keeps whispering along other directions.
Materials are; 50%copper/50%silver shibuichi for the body, the shibuichi pine needles are 15%silver/85%copper, pine cones are copper and the snow is pure silver. Phillip Baldwin made the shibuichi alloys for me.
dimension is 65mm x 71mm
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